2009 FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES MANUAL

CHAPTER 5 - PART E - RESTITUTION, FINES, ASSESSMENTS, FORFEITURES

§5E1.3.      Special Assessments

A special assessment must be imposed on a convicted defendant in the amount prescribed by statute.

Commentary

Application Notes:

1.      This guideline applies only if the defendant is an individual. See §8E1.1 for special assessments applicable to organizations.

2.      The following special assessments are provided by statute (18 U.S.C. § 3013):

For Offenses Committed By Individuals On Or After April 24, 1996:

         (A)     $100, if convicted of a felony;

         (B)     $25, if convicted of a Class A misdemeanor;

         (C)    $10, if convicted of a Class B misdemeanor;

         (D)    $5, if convicted of a Class C misdemeanor or an infraction.

For Offenses Committed By Individuals On Or After November 18, 1988 But Prior To April 24, 1996:

         (E)     $50, if convicted of a felony;

         (F)     $25, if convicted of a Class A misdemeanor;

         (G)    $10, if convicted of a Class B misdemeanor;

         (H)    $5, if convicted of a Class C misdemeanor or an infraction.

For Offenses Committed By Individuals Prior To November 18, 1988:

         (I)      $50, if convicted of a felony;

         (J)     $25, if convicted of a misdemeanor.

3.      A special assessment is required by statute for each count of conviction.

Background: Section 3013 of Title 18, United States Code, added by The Victims of Crimes Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-473, Title II, Chap. XIV, requires courts to impose special assessments on convicted defendants for the purpose of funding the Crime Victims Fund established by the same legislation.

Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 282 and 302); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 573 ).